Tidewater Potomac Overview Image

Tidewater Potomac Section 1 Detail Image

Ride through American history and natural wonders.

The Tidewater Potomac Heritage Bicycle Route introduces the cyclist to an area rich in scenic beauty, ecological diversity, and early American colonial history. Museums and points of interest give ample opportunities for sightseeing. Several historic sites are connected to George Washington, the father of the U.S. They include Mt. Vernon, George Washington's Ferry Farm, where he lived from age six until early adulthood, and the George Washington Birthplace National Monument.

This route lies within a portion of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail corridor. The route begins in Washington, D.C., and traverses both sides of the Potomac River in Maryland and Virginia until it reaches the Chesapeake Bay. At this time it's best if you reverse your route rather than attempt a loop by crossing the Chesapeake Bay. Due to the rising costs of fuel, both cruise companies listed in the map's Riding Conditions only run the ships if they have enough passengers registered for the trip (15 minimum) and even then it usually only runs on Saturday and Sunday. Unfortunately, these circumstances cause the ship to be canceled most days.

This route begins and ends at Union Station in Washington, D.C. A spur route within the city is also shown to connecting to the eastern terminus of the C & O Canal Towpath for those cyclists who may want to continue up the Potomac River. The route crosses the Potomac and heads into Virginia along the Mt. Vernon Trail. You'll have to pedal approximately forty miles before leaving the suburbs behind and getting into the rural countryside. The route skirts the Quantico Marine Corps Reservation on its way to Fredericksburg. This town has its share of museums and historic sites, so plan to spend a day sightseeing.

Leaving Fredericksburg, you'll head eastward into the peninsula known as the Northern Neck. Traffic decreases the farther east you go, and it's pleasant riding on smaller back roads. Stratford Hall Plantation, the birthplace of Robert E. Lee, is located on the Potomac River, and there are several museums to visit in the small towns along the route. If you want to explore further, there's a 25-mile spur to the Rappahannock River bridge.

The route in Maryland meanders along smaller roads through fields and woods. There are many points of interest, museums, and state parks to visit along the way, so plan your days accordingly. Nearby towns offer full services. Automobile traffic increases the closer you get to the Washington area. You will need city-riding skills as you share the road with traffic entering the District of Columbia.

Photo by Adam Coppola

The District of Columbia, Virginia, and Maryland have flat to rolling topography. A few short hills will be encountered. Rivers and bays create fingers of land called "necks," and the route dips down into the necks, allowing easy access to points along the Potomac River.

Tidewater Potomac - Main Route

Section

Distance

Elevation

Total Climb

Avg. Climb/mile

Total

377.0 miles

Minimum: 0 ft.

Maximum: 430 ft.

14,095 ft. counterclockwise bound

14,170 ft. clockwise bound

37 ft. per mi. counterclockwise bound

38 ft. per mi. clockwise bound

Tidewater Potomac Alternates

Name

Section

Distance

Total Climb

Avg. Climb/mi

Leedstown Alternate

1

17.5 miles

500 ft. counterclockwise bound

495 ft. clockwise bound

29 ft. per mi. counterclockwise bound

28 ft. per mi. clockwise bound

Rappahannock Spur

1

25.0 miles

540 ft. south bound

655 ft. north bound

22 ft. per mi. south bound

26 ft. per mi. north bound

C&O Canal Alternate

1

1.2 miles

25 ft. north bound

15 ft. south bound

21 ft. per mi. north bound

13 ft. per mi. south bound

The lower Potomac River region has considerably warm weather and humidity during the summer months. Otherwise it may be ridden from early spring to late fall. Only privately owned cruise ship companies cross the Chesapeake Bay, so working within their schedule is a must if you want to cross the bay. Occasionally delays can occur due to inclement weather, so be prepared.

Due to the rising costs of fuel, both cruise companies listed in the map's Riding Conditions only run the ships if they have enough passengers registered for the trip (15 minimum) and even then it usually only runs on Saturday and Sunday. Unfortunately, these circumstances cause the ships to be canceled most days.

Another option for crossing the Chesapeake Bay between Smith Point and Point Lookout is to hire a private fishing boat to ferry you across. Captain Danny Crabbe of Crabbes Charter Fishing has been offering this service to cyclists for years. You'll need to call ahead and make reservations.

All services and bike shops can be found in Washington and in the cities and suburbs nearby. Fredericksburg also has bike shops. When you leave the suburbs and ride into more rural areas, services will be less plentiful, though small towns with the basic convenience stores appear frequently.

Some campgrounds will charge a cyclist traveling alone less if they have hiker/biker sites, but often they will charge the price of a regular tent or RV site, and that can easily be $10-$40/night. The maps list churches that have opened their doors to cyclists, but they aren't all that closely spaced. If you're friendly and ask around, you can often get yourself invited to camp in a yard. Our routes sometimes go through national forests (moreso in the west) and you are allowed to camp anywhere on national forest land as long as you "pack it in, pack it out." Many city parks are free to camp in.

You may also wish to sign up with Warmshowers, a reciprocal hospitality site for bicycle travelers, for other overnight options.

Tidewater Potomac Overview Image

Tidewater Potomac Section 1 Detail Image

Ride through American history and natural wonders.

The Tidewater Potomac Heritage Bicycle Route introduces the cyclist to an area rich in scenic beauty, ecological diversity, and early American colonial history. Museums and points of interest give ample opportunities for sightseeing. Several historic sites are connected to George Washington, the father of the U.S. They include Mt. Vernon, George Washington's Ferry Farm, where he lived from age six until early adulthood, and the George Washington Birthplace National Monument.

This route lies within a portion of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail corridor. The route begins in Washington, D.C., and traverses both sides of the Potomac River in Maryland and Virginia until it reaches the Chesapeake Bay. At this time it's best if you reverse your route rather than attempt a loop by crossing the Chesapeake Bay. Due to the rising costs of fuel, both cruise companies listed in the map's Riding Conditions only run the ships if they have enough passengers registered for the trip (15 minimum) and even then it usually only runs on Saturday and Sunday. Unfortunately, these circumstances cause the ship to be canceled most days.

This route begins and ends at Union Station in Washington, D.C. A spur route within the city is also shown to connecting to the eastern terminus of the C & O Canal Towpath for those cyclists who may want to continue up the Potomac River. The route crosses the Potomac and heads into Virginia along the Mt. Vernon Trail. You'll have to pedal approximately forty miles before leaving the suburbs behind and getting into the rural countryside. The route skirts the Quantico Marine Corps Reservation on its way to Fredericksburg. This town has its share of museums and historic sites, so plan to spend a day sightseeing.

Leaving Fredericksburg, you'll head eastward into the peninsula known as the Northern Neck. Traffic decreases the farther east you go, and it's pleasant riding on smaller back roads. Stratford Hall Plantation, the birthplace of Robert E. Lee, is located on the Potomac River, and there are several museums to visit in the small towns along the route. If you want to explore further, there's a 25-mile spur to the Rappahannock River bridge.

The route in Maryland meanders along smaller roads through fields and woods. There are many points of interest, museums, and state parks to visit along the way, so plan your days accordingly. Nearby towns offer full services. Automobile traffic increases the closer you get to the Washington area. You will need city-riding skills as you share the road with traffic entering the District of Columbia.

The District of Columbia, Virginia, and Maryland have flat to rolling topography. A few short hills will be encountered. Rivers and bays create fingers of land called "necks," and the route dips down into the necks, allowing easy access to points along the Potomac River.

The lower Potomac River region has considerably warm weather and humidity during the summer months. Otherwise it may be ridden from early spring to late fall. Only privately owned cruise ship companies cross the Chesapeake Bay, so working within their schedule is a must if you want to cross the bay. Occasionally delays can occur due to inclement weather, so be prepared.

Due to the rising costs of fuel, both cruise companies listed in the map's Riding Conditions only run the ships if they have enough passengers registered for the trip (15 minimum) and even then it usually only runs on Saturday and Sunday. Unfortunately, these circumstances cause the ships to be canceled most days.

Another option for crossing the Chesapeake Bay between Smith Point and Point Lookout is to hire a private fishing boat to ferry you across. Captain Danny Crabbe of Crabbes Charter Fishing has been offering this service to cyclists for years. You'll need to call ahead and make reservations.

All services and bike shops can be found in Washington and in the cities and suburbs nearby. Fredericksburg also has bike shops. When you leave the suburbs and ride into more rural areas, services will be less plentiful, though small towns with the basic convenience stores appear frequently.

Some campgrounds will charge a cyclist traveling alone less if they have hiker/biker sites, but often they will charge the price of a regular tent or RV site, and that can easily be $10-$40/night. The maps list churches that have opened their doors to cyclists, but they aren't all that closely spaced. If you're friendly and ask around, you can often get yourself invited to camp in a yard. Our routes sometimes go through national forests (moreso in the west) and you are allowed to camp anywhere on national forest land as long as you "pack it in, pack it out." Many city parks are free to camp in.

You may also wish to sign up with Warmshowers, a reciprocal hospitality site for bicycle travelers, for other overnight options.